Versatile Wells give Grant a leg up
Thursday night was just another busy one for Grant’s Sean Wells.
From hurdling events to a few relay events mixed in, Wells figures to have many busy nights for the Bulldogs’ boys track and field team from here on out.
So when Wells captured three event victories at the frigid and windy Grant Invitational on Thursday, it was just another day at the track for the multi-talented junior.
“My main motto is to be the legs for the team,” Wells said. “So I just have to be ready to help out the team wherever I can.”
Wells won the 110 high hurdles (14.7), the 300 hurdles (40.0) and ran the anchor leg on the Bulldogs’ winning 800-meter relay team. His brother Jonathan, Keion Miller and Brandon Lofthouse made up the rest of the winning foursome.
“Sean had a real solid day considering the conditions,” said Grant coach Tom Evans. “He ran real smart in a couple races, including the 300 hurdles where he could have gone all out but realized he didn’t have to over-extend himself.”
To go with the three event wins from Wells was a sweep from the Bulldogs in the throwing events. Brandon Lombardino continued his strong start in the discus by winning with a throw of 163-11. Teammate Chris Orc also produced a season-best in the shot, winning with a toss of 50-9.
The combined efforts of the three winners for Grant led the hosts to a second-place finish. Deerfield won the invitational with 152 points to 123.5 for the Bulldogs. Warren ran third with 105.5.
Warren got off to a hot early start by sweeping the first three events. The 3,200 relay team of Roberto Lara, Jacob Butler, Tyler Herman and Mike Harland ran a solid 8:33.20.
Then came the surprise of the day for the Devils, in the 400 relay. Led by the third and fourth legs of Tony Severini and Kyle Gregory, the Devils ran by the field for a 44.3 clocking and the event win.
“That was unexpected, but a pleasant surprise,” said Warren coach Bill Dawson.
The win from senior Martin Martinez was not the same kind of surprise. Martinez broke away from a pack that included Alex Gold of Deerfield and Duncan Henderson of Crystal Lake South to win in 9:48.0, an especially impressive time under the conditions.
Martinez wasn’t done. He came back an hour later and completed the distance double, battling the entire 1,600 meters with Carmel senior KJ Matuszak before holding him off at the line and winning in 4:35.50.
“I knew a lot about the guys I was racing, and I just went out and raced instead of running for time,” Martinez said. “I have been working with my coach on my leg speed and I didn’t think I would have it there — but I did.”
Crystal Lake South finished fourth in the team race with 67 points. Zane Boettcher captured the 100 and 200 dashes, winning in 11.4 and 22.8.
Other event winners included Brian Kadowaki from Carmel in the pole vault (11-6) and Jonathon Wells from Grant in the high jump (6-0)